AIRTEL, GOOGLE JOIN HANDS FOR CHEAP PHONES

New Delhi, Feb. 27: Telecom major Bharti Airtel on Tuesday said it has partnered Google to bring low- cost Android Oreo ( Go edition) smartphones to the Indian market.

Google had, in December last year, unveiled the Android Oreo Go edition for smartphones with 1GB RAM or less.

These low- cost smartphones, which come with a new range of apps designed to run faster while using less data, are expected to play an important role in further expanding internet adoption.

As part of the collaboration, entry- level 4G smartphones under Airtel’s ‘ Mera Pehla Smartphone’ programme will be shipped with Android Oreo ( Go edition) as standard OS starting March this year, Airtel said.

Handset makers Lava and Micromax have already announced they will launch 4G smartphones powered by Android Oreo ( Go edition).

These smartphones with basic specifications will also come pre- loaded with compatible apps, including MyAirtel App, AirtelTV and Wynk Music, it added.

Devices running Android Oreo ( Go edition) will also come with twice as much storage out of the box.

Android Go will provide a boost to Airtel’s efforts to bring affordable smartphone options to the market and potentially enable millions of feature phone users to get online, said Bharti Airtel CMO Vani Venkatesh.